Motion translating mechanism



April 26, 1949.

G. JANSON, JR

MOTION TRANSLATING MEGHANSM 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 7," 1947 .......mw uw mW/@Www 5 131|: :L1-LDT d 11n-n.5 Dn

April 26, 1949. G. JANsoN, JR

MOTION TRANSLATING MEGHANISM 2 Sheets-.Sheet L Filed Nov. 7, 1947 5mm-mrd Jnnmnn Patented Apr. 26, 1949 UNITED TENT GFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 7 Claims.

The invention described in the following specication and claims may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a mechanism for converting linear motion to rotary motion through a ninety degree change in linear motion.

An object of this invention is to produce a compact and direct means of transferring linear motion in one plane to linear motion in a second plane at right angles to the first plane.

A particular object of this invention is to provide improved means for tensioning a driving vspring in a feeding mechanism for an automatic gun wherein the spring is Wound the necessary amount on each recoil stroke of the gun regardless of any variation in the length of such recoil stroke.

The specic nature of the invention as Well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional View of a 20 mm. automatic gun belt feed assembly which includes the motion translating mechanism of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top View of Fig. 1 showing the disposition of the motion translating mechanism in the belt feed assembly.

Fig. 4 is a partial View of Fig. 2 but showing in full the components of the motion translating mechanism in the position effected by overtravel on counter-recoil of the gun.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 but showing the mechanism, without the shaft and ratchet actuating member, when the gun is in a zero recoil position.

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 4 but showing the mechanism when the gun is in a minimum recoil position.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the mechanism when the gun is in an overtravel position on recoil.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the oscillating guide of the motion translating mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a-schematic fragmentary end View of the driving spring case with the driving spring and ratchet teeth of the sleeve member shown therein taken along the line 9 9 in Fig. l.

In Figs. 1 through 3 there is shown a cartridge feeding device embodying the motion translating mechanism of this invention. Such feed device essentially comprises a substantially rectangular case 8 arranged to be mounted to a 20 mm. automatic gun (not shown). A central shaft Iii is rotatablyv mounted Within case 8 and .three 2 sprockets I I, I2, and I3 are fixedly mounted on shaft I6 so as to rotate therewith. As best shown in Fig. l, sprockets il, I2, and I3 are designed to carry the individual rounds 25 of a conventional linked ammunition belt. Rotatably mounted on the front end of shaft I0 is a sleeve member I6 having a plurality of ratchet teeth 56 formed about one end thereof.

A cylindrical driving spring case I4 is Xedly secured to shaft Ill and encloses a clock-type spirai driving spring i 5. The outer end of spring i5 is fixed to case I4 and the inner end is arranged to engage ratchet teeth 56 on sleeve member iii as shown in Fig. 9. A ratchet actuating member il is rotatably mounted about shaft I0 and is provided with a peripheral segment of gear teeth it. A plurality of ratchet teeth I9 are provided on the outer face of actuating member Il. A tensioning ratchet 20 is xedly mounted on sleeve member I6 and is provided with ratchet teeth 2i which mesh with ratchet teeth I9. About the periphery of tensioning ratchet 2i) there is provided a plurality of ratchet teeth 51 which are engaged by a pawl 23 and thereby prevent ratchet 26 from unwinding. A thrust spring 24 forces ratchet actuating member il against tensioning ratchet Zil to maintain contact therebetween. Tensioning ratchet 2f) is also provided with a hexagonal boss 58 which projects out of case il as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and thereby permits use of a suitable Wrench for applying initial tension to driving spring I5.

A rack 22 mounted for reciprocable movement in case 8 engages gear teeth I8. In operation, the recoil of the gun causes rack 22 to rotate ratchet actuating member Il Which in turn rotates tensioning ratchet 2li. Thus sleeve member I 6 is rotated to wind driving spring I5. On the counter-recoil stroke of the gun, driving spring I5 unwinds and causes shaft I6 and consequently sprockets II, I2, and i3 to rotate. Such movement advances rounds 25 one at a time into the gun. It is to be understood that while the gun itself recoils and counter-recoils little or no recoiling movement is imparted to the belt feed mechanism.

The foregoing is a brief description of the structure and operation of the belt feed assembly and is typical of a 20 mm. automatic gun. This invention, however, relates to the motion translating mechanism through which the recoil and counter-recoil movement of the gun is used to actuate rack 22 to impart rotary movement to the round-carrying sprockets.

A bracket 9 is fixedly secured to the side of a recoiling member 59 in the gun. A pin 26 is secured at one end Within bracket 9 and the other end is pivotally engaged with a substantially rectangular link member 21. At one end of linkmember 2l.A .there is .provided a fixed foltion 32 a slot 35 is provided which forms on bodyv portion 32 in conjunction with a. `pair of ngerlike projections 36 and 31. Rack arm member 3| is disposed with respect to lin'kmen'lber` 21 in such manner that follower stud 2^9 isirnovably engaged in slot 35. Finger-like portions 3.6i and 31 are shaped to form arcuate edges 38 and 39,` respectively, on the inner stud-engaging `sides. and to form 'straight edges 40 and4 respectively on the outer sides. The interior of case 8 is providedtwith stop-i surfaces 422 disposed onl either side'fof rackarm member 3 I and arrangedI to `limit thelf'ipi'votafl l,movement thereof. elongated hole 44f-is providedadjacent the end of handlelikeoportion 33- o rack arm member 3l and such hol'ef'receives a `fixed stud 45"dispose^d= at one end of-rackmember22.`

An oscillating guide member lll'i is pivotally mounted in case 81 as by a pin 41 and :is` substantially Tshapedlin.outline as best shown in Fig. 18. Guide member 46 is provided with a cross+bar portion 48 `anda stem portion 49'. The endsoi` cross-bar portionI 4B are arcuately iormed andsinvconjunction with the sides of stem portion 49 Which are alsovarcuately shaped,v form arcuateicanfi4 surfaces 50i and 5l. The, amount; of curvature of cam surfaces 50 and 5l is such that arcuate edges 38 and 39, respectively; on fingerlike."projections.` 3G. and 31 will mate therewith during... the. pivotal movement ofirack arm member ill'.` .The end- 32 of sternY portion 49' is also arcuately formed;` Arcuate `tracks 53' and 54, respectively,v are formed'by arcuate `surfaces 43 providedin caselli. on either side oi guide 'member 48 in cooperation with arcuate end 521 of: stem portion 49, rack arm arcuate slot 35,. linger-like projections and 3'1, and stop `surfaces. l2V as shown in Figs. 4. and l'1.

Asshown in Fig. 5, link member21sis disposed horizontally when the gun is in a zerorecoilposition. .At such time, .follower `stud 2S. is engaged by the end of slot 35 in rack arm imem'ber 3;I. the` gun recoils, link' member` 21 moves alongv its axial centerline and. ,thereby .causes rackrgarmnmember 3l to pivot clockwise` about xedypin `Since .arcuate edge 3B` of. inger'- like 'lprojection 3fiis 'in Contact Withrcam surface 5.0,. as shown in Figa 5, the pivotal, movement `of rackarm member 3| cams guide :member: 4.6.pivotally.` counter-clockwise to the position'shownin Eign. At the end-of the ipivotal movementof guida,member` 4.6, the cam surface: alzthereon is in contact `with arcuateeedge 39 `of ingerflike projection 31. The; movement'. of rack-arm; mem- .ber Slis limited by the contact of` straight edge surface 40 with stop surface 42. During-.such smovement, rack arm handle-'like portion 33 moves rack 22 Ato actuate ratchet:actuatingmeme4 beri`l1 whereby drivingspring, .I5..is Wound suinciently to rotate the belt of ammunitionf during theVA counter-recoiloi the gun to advance round Sinto aposition to be chambered.

However, varying powder loads and othervariable factors in the gunmay affect `the length-foi recoilmovement thereof and thereby impart further. movement to link member 2.1. The pivoting otguidemember 46e has completed the-formation offcam` track 54` andthe addi-tional, movermenteot link member, 21 will cause `followerstud zvtnereon. to ride along such` cam,track.;` As a 4 result, link member 21 will assume the position shown in Fig. '7. It can readily be seen that this overtravelnmovement oflink member 21fwill not `effect anyfurtherv movement of rackrmember 22.

Upon counter-recoil of the gun, link member 21 will first pivot back to the horizontal position shown in Fig. 6 and then cause rack arm member 3| and guide member `46 to assume, in the manner described above, the position shown in Fig. 5. Should the counter-recoil of the gun be of increased strength, however, link member 21 Will pivot to the position shown in Fig. 4 due to the movement of follower stud 29 along cam track 54. Since rack arm member 3| is prevented from pivoting beyond its zero recoil position by stops1.lrface4'2,` no additional movement will be imparted" tolrack 22. Durmgrthe next cycle `of operation ofthe gun, link member 21 will again assume the positionrshown yinfF'i'g. 5 before beginning its linear movement. -Asa result, driving spring l5I is woundfa `constant amount-and each of rounds zwequally advanced during each ngcycle of the gun.

Thus there is here provided a compact and direct motiontranslating mechanism l especially adapted to operate a cartridge feeding assembly for an automatic gun ofthe type 'ofi the `20 mm. automatic gun M1.. Such-mechanism loperates positively and accurately withialmost'ia total absence of lash' or `slap` andalso permits overtravel of the gun recoiling parts invrecoiillor counter-recoil'.without anyincrease inf theiactuation of the -eed assembly.= wliurthermorafthe compactness of the mechanism of this invention permits utilization thereof in such; places Where space is: at a premium.

I claim:`

1. A. mechanism: for translating motiona-t riight angles to the path of the original motioni comprising, a: link member arrangedto .pivot atA one end thereof, means for imparting reciprocable linearfmovement tor said link .membenxcam means arranged to change the path of movementiofrsaid linkmember at either end ofHsa-i-dfzlinear movement, a pivoting member engageableswith vsaid linie'.v member and` arranged: totbefpivoiiedi thereby, stop means 4arranged to limitzwthe movement of said pivoting.memberr said VApvotingmemb er' having a recess arranged: tol associate:withfsaidcam means when the movement of. said pivotingimember is limited by said stop meansya lrackmember engageable with said pivoting` member andar.- ranged for reciprocable .movement thereby'fat right angles to said linkimember,.andaswinging guide member `arrar-igedxto. be rotated: by said pivoting member to a position whereinssaidlcam means is operable to disassociat'evsaid link member from saidv pivoting member thereby :allowing continued movement of said link member'in the event .of overtravel thereof. of' its reciprocating movement.

2. A mechanism for translating.limearvmotion in one .direction to linear motionrinzaadirection at right/angles` to .the rstdirection,4 `the: mechanism .'comprising, a ,housing arranged itoxsupport the mechanism therein, abracket memberihaving a pin extending into said rhousing, imeansfor im. parting reciprocable` linearumovementzto sendpm, a link ymember pivotal-r mounted: at `one f end thereof to said. pin, 7cammingmezatnsronlthe opposite andfree end off said link membenfapivoting member mounted vin `said .housingyfor dimited pivotal movement, saidL link cammingzmeans nor mally.,engageablef` with said` `pivoting membemia rack member suitably .mounted 4top.saldipvniiiiig member so as to receive a reciprocating linear movement at right angles to the path of said pin during the actuation of said pivoting member, and a swinging member pivotally mounted in said housing and arranged to guide said cam means out of engagement with said pivoting member upon cessation of movement of said latter member thereby permitting further movement of said link member without imparting such movement to said rack member.

3. A mechanism for translating linear motion in one direction to linear motion in a direction at right angles to the rst direction, the mechanism comprising, a housing arranged to support the mechanism therein, said housing having a pair of stop surfaces therein, a movable pin eX- tending into said housing, means for imparting reciprocable linear movement to said pin, a link member pivotally secured at one end thereof to said pin, camming means on the opposite and free end of said link member, a pivoting member mounted in said housing for pivoting movement between said stop surfaces, said pivoting member having a recess arranged to normally engage said link camming means, a rack member suitably mounted to said pivoting member so as to receive a reciprocating linear movement at right angles to the path of said pin during the actuation of said pivoting member, and a swinging member arranged to associate with said pivoting member recess for the formation of an arcuate cam track at the termination of the movement of said pivoting member.

4. A mechanism for translating linear motion in one direction to linear motion in a direction at right angles to the rst direction, the mechanism comprising, a housing arranged to support the mechanism therein, said housing having a pair of stop surfaces and a pair of raised arcuate surfaces, a link member arranged for reciprocating linear movement, a cam follower on one end of said link member, a pivoting member mounted in said housing for pivoting movement between said stop surfaces, said pivoting member having a recess therein arranged to receive said cam follower, a rack member mounted to said pivoting member and arranged to receive a reciprocating linear movement at right angles to the path of said link member during the pivoting of said pivoting member, a swinging member having an arcuate surface arranged to cooperate with one of said raised arcuate surfaces and said pivoting member recess to form a cam track when said pivoting member is in either of its extreme pivoted positions, and a pair of finger-like members deiined vby said pivoting member recess, each of said nger-like members engageable with said swinging member for effecting rotation thereof.

5. In a belt feed mechanism for an automatic gun of the type provided with a recoiling gun member, a link member arranged to pivot at one of its end means joining said link member and the recoiling gun member, cam means arranged to divert the normal linear movement of said link member to an arcuate movement at either end of said normal movement, a pivoting member engageable with said link member and arranged to be pivoted thereby, stop means on either side of said pivoting member for limiting the pivoting movementl thereof, said pivoting member having a recess therein arranged to associate with said cam means when the movement of said pivoting member is limited by said stop means, a rack member engageable with said pivoting member and arranged to reciprocate transversely of the Irecoiling gun member, and a swinging guide member arranged to be rotated by said pivoting member to a position wherein said cam means is operable to disassociate said link mem- -ber from said pivoting member thereby allowing said link member to continue movement without corresponding movement of said rack member in the event of overtravel of the recoiling gun member in either direction.

6. In a belt feed mechanism for an automatic gun of the type provided with a recoiling gun member, a casing having a pair of raised arcuate surfaces, a longitudinal link member arranged for reciprocating linear movement and having a hole adjacent one end and a follower stud adjacent the other end, said link member pivotally associated at said hole end -with the recoiling gun member, a pivoting member mounted in said casing, said pivoting member having a recess therein for engaging said link stud, an extending arm on said pivoting member, said arm having an elongated hole, a pair of stop surfaces in said casing on either side of said pivoting member for limiting the pivoting movement thereof, said recess having an arcuate interior surface arranged to cooperate with said raised arcuate suriaces to partially form a cam track when said pivoting member abuts either of said stop surfaces, a rack member having a pin thereon 4for engagement with said elongated hole in said pivoting member arm whereby said rack member is reciprocated transversely of the recoiling gun member, and a swinging guide member pivotally mounted in said casing and arranged to be ro- Itated by said pivoting member to a position for completing said cam track whereby continued movement of said link member in either direction beyond said linear movement causes said stud thereon to ride in said cam track and thereby disengage from said pivoting member recess.

7. In a belt feed mechanism for an automatic gun of the type provided with a recoiling gun member, the combination of a plurality of sprocket members for feeding the belt into the gun, sprinlg means for rotating said sprocket members in a belt feeding direction, a winding mechanism including a pawl and ratchet for providing tension to said spring means, a rack member arranged to actuate said winding mechanism, a link member arranged to pivot at one end thereof, cooperating means between said link member and the recoiling gun member, cam means arranged to divert the normal linearr movement of said link member into an arcuate movement, a pivoting member engageable with said link member and arranged to be pivoted thereby, said pivoting member having an arcuate recess therein, stop means on either side of said pivoting member for limiting the pivoting member thereof, said pivoting member being operable to actuate said rack member, and a swinging guide member arranged to be pivotally rotated by said pivoting member, said guide member having an arcuate base for cooperation with said arcuate recess in said pivoting member to form an arcuate cam track whereby said link is pivoted from its linear travel upon overtravel of the recoiling gun member during recoil or counter-recoil thereby preventing over-tensioning or undertensioning of said winding mechanism.

GOTTHARD JANSON, JR.

No references cited. 

